Fifth Gait Technologies brings you everything you need to tackle the most formidable challenges in space, protection, and the future. Our expertise spans mission assurance, radiation testing, nuclear hardening, optoelectronics, modeling and simulation, and system survivability. Let our team of subject matter experts and innovative engineers and scientists make your next mission a success.
Richard has been with Fifth Gait since 2015. During that time, he has helped guide and grow the company into a highly regarded industry leader in the field of nuclear and space radiation survivability.
“For the last decade, Fifth Gait has been more than a job to me. It has been my passion, and my team has been like family. I have relished every challenge as both the successes and failures have taught me what it means to be a leader,” said Horton.
For more than 30 years, Richard has supported DoD and NASA programs in aviation, space exploration, and strategic missile defense. He holds degrees in physics and aviation science, is a recent alumnus of Harvard Business School, and is a licensed commercial pilot.
“Richard has been part of this organization through many chapters, working alongside our teams as Fifth Gait grew, adapted, and took on increasingly complex challenges,” said Dr. Kathy Doughty, Board Chairman and founder of Fifth Gait. “Those shared experiences matter. They shape how leaders show up, how decisions are made, and how responsibility is carried. I am confident in his ability to guide the company in a way that reflects the values and standards on which Fifth Gait was built.”
This transition is designed to ensure that the technical rigor and collaborative approach that customers count on remain firmly in place as the company moves forward. The company’s leadership evolution is rooted in shared values, deep organizational understanding, and a commitment to the same focus and integrity on which Fifth Gait’s customers and partners rely.
We make your mission: Possible
In the world of critical systems, resilience isn’t an option; it’s a necessity, particularly in the face of prolonged radiation exposure and the harshest environments imaginable. We work tirelessly to ensure that products and systems emerge unscathed, standing up to the most demanding missions.
Our objective is clear: to provide advanced survivability solutions to the U.S. Government, defense contractors, and our commercial partners. Led by a team of recognized subject matter experts, our engineers and scientists embrace the challenges of tomorrow’s space and defense systems while establishing us as the premier survivability resource for the country.
Radiation is at the heart of what we do. From environment definition through system testing and risk mitigation, Fifth Gait provides a complete suite of mission assurance support capabilities for prime contractors and government agencies.
We offer comprehensive testing and verification services to ensure the reliability and performance of your systems. Our tools and expertise help you identify and address risks, verifying mission suitability of your hardware. Whether it’s microelectronics, optical materials, sensors, or circuit card assemblies, our experienced teams can design and execute the tests you need.
In addition to testing, our data analysis solutions provide rigorous statistical methods and data-driven insights to support informed decision-making. We can provide cutting-edge modeling and simulation tools to help you analyze complex systems, predict behavior, and optimize performance.
advanced survivability solutions
In the realm of critical systems, resilience is non-negotiable. Fifth Gait specializes in crafting advanced survivability solutions for natural and man-made environments to ensure your success. Our commitment is unwavering, our imagination boundless, and our goal clear: to create a future where your critical missions are not just possible but surpass expectations.
Awards & Certifications
AS9100-D Certified
Our commitment to aerospace quality management ensures safe and reliable solutions.
NIST 800-171 Compliant
We uphold security best practices to meet NIST standards for information systems.
Raytheon Supplier Excellence Epic Award
Recognized for performance, innovation, and collaboration by Raytheon.
Department of Defense Nunn Perry Award
Honored for outstanding performance in the DoD Mentor-Protégé Program, exemplifying technical assistance, ROI, quality, and protégé development.
join the team
Fifth Gait is more than a company; it’s a community of passionate innovators. As a minority-woman-owned enterprise, we thrive on diversity, creativity, and teamwork. We welcome individuals who are up for a challenge, brimming with bright ideas, and eager to contribute to our dynamic team.
